Calamity Kim

please pass the biscuits

wip, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I just wanted to show my  progress on the red & aqua Doll Challenge quilt.  I need to pick out a border and then the binding...and I am wondering about embroidering a quote from the book on the roses above the main image...yesterday was consumed by dishes, laundry, vacuuming and swiffering the floors. I didn't get to sew until late.

I worked on piecing the squares together from 7:30 till about 10:00pm. I am hoping to quilt it with tea cups...like, I guess I will have to make a template and then use my new blue disappearing ink pen...I can see it in my head...so that's half the battle...

At 10pm we  watched that new Will Traveler show....not sure if it's going to hold our interest.

I can't believe we have to wait until Feb of 2008 for a new Lost.

Is that possible? Sadness....just sadness...guess I will be very productive on Wed nights from now on...tee hee...

I am going to spend the day with my Brother-at the furniture warehouse for European Traditions, where he works. He is the warehouse manager and refinishes a lot of the furniture. They have two locations- the real showroom is located on S. Tamiami Trail and my Brother's warehouse is located off Clark Rd. This picture is from the show room on the trail. Click on the link to see more pictures.

The furniture is made in Turkey from salvaged houses that are 200-300 years old. The wood has lots of great character- worm holes, etc and is gorgeous when used to construct desks, armoire's and tables. Most of the furniture is huge- like giant size. Like for castles or mansions.  The armoire's remind me of the Wardrobe in Narnia....

I am vacuuming and mopping the new tile installed in one section of the ware house "show-room". The owners closed in a huge area and have installed air-conditioning, dry wall and created offices and a lovely tiled showroom where it was air plane hanger style corrugated tin before.

It is amazing! I will try to get some pictures , although there won't be any furniture moved in until I clean the floors...

I am hoping to have earned enough money to fill up the gas tank (:o) and possibly get this much anticipated book from Mary Jane Butters- the stitching room.....went by Books-a-million yesterday and they didn't have it. Looks like Amazon is my new best friend....

Y'all have a nice day now...I'll be back later...probably with sore shoulders...everything!!!!  My blisters have blisters....how will I ever quilt? My poor aching back....I only finished half- tomorrow I return to mop.....I am off to find the Doan's...

care for some tea?

Yesterday I embroidered for 7 hours.
My back all hunched over like that guy who swings in church towers...
I was gifted with some beautiful embroidery patterns by Vicki- who is so kind and sweet and shouldn't have, but I am so glad that she did...
Alice in Wonderland...and some delightful fairies!!!!
I am going to use it as a focal point in my disappearing 9 patch red & aqua doll quilt for the Doll Quilt Challenge Group that I started on Flickr.

Click on the pictures to make them appear larger. I have all the squares cut out and ready to start sewing together....Oh, maybe I need some more reds...maybe I should go to the fabric store...maybe I should just use what I have...I don't want to stop...I could have made 2 aprons in the time it took to embroider the Alice....but...ahhh..I think it was time well spent. And I rewatched Shrek 2 and 5th Element and Big Trouble in Little China. I used crayons to shade some of the areas before starting to embroider with 2 pieces of DMC at a time.

I love Vicki's transfers- they copied clearly and easily and I bet I can get many more copies from it..after I finished it I flipped it over on a towel and ironed it and used the water spray on the iron and all the black lines disappeared.
Go visit Pattern Bee and get some for yourself- she has a lovely selection and you are sure to find many that you can't resist.
I have to admitt that I had a huge lump in my throat after visiting her Blog and discovering that she is going on vacation for the Summer...made me sad and my eyes misted over...first my favorite TV shows..now my favorite Blog...what's next? Oh, I don't want to even contemplate the long empty hours...yeah, right, you're thinking!

I will have more time to sew...and browse ebay...I just snatched up some gorgeous pillow panels with fairy tale images on them! Oh, what fun aprons those will be!!!

I have lists of aprons and goodies to make so I am off...to sew some more....I am so excited about this little quilt and the response to the Doll Quilt Group- it's fun to go see all of them together, like a miniature gallery of art quilts...simply delightful!

I would love to go to an actual gallery show of small doll quilts...wouldn't that be awesome? Or is it just me?
I like them condensed down to a smaller size...Jude is doing some awesome stuff and so is Hillary and Kristin

remember the paper poppies...

Of course the finished quilt top was too plain for me....so I had to Jazz it up...with the cayenne poppies...why do I love little red? maybe because she is vulnerable and defenseless in a big, dark wood...the cries of wolves making her walk faster to her dear Grandma's house. Knowing that she shouldn't be asking if he is a good wolf or a bad wolf, just accepting that he is a wolf and he can't over come his nature.  Mix in a few toad Princes and puss in boots and you've got the beginning of a fine fairytale doll quilt...nope, I didn't see Shrek yet this weekend...maybe next....

Hoist The Colors!!!! Arrrggghh!!

Wow! The days have flown by and look, it's Sunday already! Where does it go? I was a busy bee last week and am proud to say I finally got everything mailed- except for poor Cellar Girl's make do which I will get done asap and mailed on Tuesday! I appreciate everyone's patience- Carolina of Neo Vamp- I wonder how long it will take my box to get to you in the Canary Islands? The web makes us seem as close as neighbors, but the reality can be felt in line at the Post Office.

I don't want to Blog about Postal rates or gas prices or anything else.

Just fabric and doll quilts and aprons with magical pockets and Pirates.

That's it!
On fabric- yesterday I spent 6 hours ironing and cutting and then playing with 9 patch squares- cutting them down the center to try to get the results I saw on the Doll Quilt CrAzY! site at Flickr- posted by WendysWTN  she also gave a link to a tutorial on a disappearing 9 Patch block...I have been playing with that every free moment...I abandoned my aprons and purses for a moment to try to explore the possibilities of this.

It is amazing how complex it can look but so simple to make.

I am thrilled when each corner of the 9 patch matches by the way.

I cut carefully and sew precisely and then iron them open and run into the next room to show Fred, Sadie slipping on the floors after me.

Sometimes I use the paw wax on her pads so she can get some traction..anyway...

I am so thrilled by all of the gorgeous Doll quilts being displayed on the Group Pool. You gotta go check them out! Like miniature works of art. Fabulous use of color and shape! I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of such a creative group. Inspirational.

As we sat in Quiznos eating our lunch after going to a morning movie (10:45am) of Pirates of the Caribbean-At World's End  and I looked at the embroidered yoyo's on the side of my purse I could only see barnacles and pearls and bits of shells...there will be sea/Calypso inspired things to come from this, I can see it now.....the  Disney merchandising is insane with these movies though- I saw a Pirates TV and a CD player that looked like Jack's compass at Best Buy. I have to admit, I would love one! The Jolly Roger skull and crossbones alarm clock might be a bit much however.

The movie was an epic adventure and you must allow yourself to simply relax and go along for the ride...Fred and I both enjoyed it and I wished it never ended...be sure to stay after the credits are finished for a tiny bit more screen time...(we learned that lesson after Constantine)

We still haven't seen 28 weeks later- any reviews? I wanted to see Hot Fuzz but heard it just wasn't funny. Pirates was really good and funny- that monkey just takes the cake! And Johnny- gotta love him- scoundrel or not- that's probably most of his charm!

Anyway- I just wanted to wish everyone a happy 3 day weekend and I will be back soon with more apron goodness- I can't believe I sold two already! Wow! All I can say is thank you- all of your compliments and comments make me proud and happy and I sew with more confidence when I know that you "get it" and love my stuff! My Mom is just shocked when I say stuff like- " oh, I'm working on a reversible Alice in Wonderland themed apron! What are you doing?" There is always a pause that is too long and filled with an uneasy silence....she wonders where she went wrong while I am glad I spent all those summer days running by the creek, riding my bike and nose buried in books.

I am who I am and I am finally proud. She can't take that away from me. If she doesn't "get it" then it's her loss. The aprons are too cool and fun and they are very fulfilling to create! What's in your Pocket? might become my new tag line... or maybe I'll just stick with...Oh, the Calamity!!!!!

An Apron a Day keeps the Doctor Away

This is the pocket that goes on the front of the apron that I made today.

And this is the Vintage (1969) Smokey the Bear Ruler/Bookmark reproduced on canvas fabric and sewn together that goes in the pocket of the apron I made today.

Using some gorgeous geranium fabric I made the ruffle that goes around the edge of the apron with the  Smokey the Bear ruler/bookmark that goes in the pocket of the apron that I made today.

I engaged in 6 bidding wars on Ebay before I finally won the Smokey the Bear sheet to cut up to add a ruffle of geranium fabric and put a pocket that holds the ruler/bookmark that goes on the apron that I made today.

This is the front of one side and then this is the other side.... It represents summer afternoons when I would get cookies and milk from my Grandma and ride my bike down to the creek and hunt for old bottles and baby pinecones and pick bouquets of Queen Anne's Lace and wild daisies and have tea parties on the old stump by the rock wall where the rasberries grew.

I used some Moda fabrics and some Heather Ross Lightening bugs and other mysteries and the embroidered vintage doilie is on linen and makes a gorgeous large pocket. I added a bee button to the handle of the basket to keep the pocket from gaping open.

The ruffle on this side is cream eyelet lace and is as wide as the ruffle on the other side so that when it is turned you can't see the other side. The waistband is bikes on this side and a lovely lavender basketweave on the other. 
what would you have in your pocket after a day at the creek? An old thimble found in the dirt, a dried daisy chain, a smooth round stone, as many baby pinecones as you could find and acorns and rocks with flecks of micah....

This shows both sides- sorta- It's difficult to get good pictures unless I am wearing it and I am not expert at setting up the tripod and setting the gizmo...no, not at all...so for now this will have to do. I think I made a challenge to myself to make an apron a day for a month. I will have that etsy store stocked with every kind of apron you could imagine! hahaha! I am only partially kidding- I am challenging myself to make something everyday! Somedays I only do housework or laundry or cook or stay on the computer- so we shall see! Anyway- here's another one...it's called: "Summer Afternoon by the Creek" or " Give Me Those Matches, You Little PyroManiac!!!!!" True story:  Once, when I was in 2nd grade I nearly burned down our house playing with a candle. I melted the side of my Barbie doll case and the maid smelled it and came running in and put the smoldering fire out.   When my Mom got home from work the maid (Rosa) quit. I thought it was pretty to watch the candle flame. That was the year my Dad was in Vietnam and we went through 7 maids. I never got another Barbie case. The family never let me forget I was a Pyro. I still like to watch fires burn. My next apron will be: "Going to Hell in A Handbasket"

Another Finished Apron- Cinderella's Pocket

Reversible with one side is Cindy and the other side is the Princess Cinderella Side. What would she have in her pockets?  Maybe a glass slipper, a few  sequins, a thimble, a spool of thread,  a few rose petals... a keepsake  handkerchief from her dear Mother Beatrice, gone all these years, now just a faint memory.....
the other side  is the princess side with a beautiful hand tatted  hanky and a cupcake....The Cindy side is edged in a  wide eyelet ruffle while the Princess side is trimmed in  4 different layers of tulle- pink with stars, blue with stars and glitter, aqua and white spiderweb tulle.

I used a vintage quilt top for the patchwork side- there are some gorgeous old fashioned prints in it and some Amy Butler on the Princess side . It's trimmed with rick rack and eyelet lace..Yummy! They are both going in the shop at Etsy...both are size medium which will fit a 25-38 inch waist...go get yourself one! Or just let me know what ya think...

Dorothy's Pocket

I actually finished something! Dorothy's Pocket...what would she have in it after a trip through The Wonderful Land of Oz????

Surely a biscuit for ToTo... And maybe a bit of Munchkin Money and of course a heart who knows what else? Maybe a slice of Auntie Em's famous cherry pie she might even slide in a flying sock monkey! the lining is also poppy fabric....Better pictures in the mornin...It is going in Etsy...going once...going twice.....three times....sorry to tease- really, tomorrow is another day and Heroes is on in a moment and poor Fred hasn't had any dinner yet...who said you can't eat an apron?? hahaha! Gotta scoot! Click 0n each picture to View Larger- ok? Tell me what ya think!

committing WIP-acide, please call the wip-acide hotline!

I know that I was showing you a picture of a collage purse in the previous post, but when I went to work on it some more I hit that creative speed bump that caused me to roll back a bit. I just didn't have the necessary speed to make it over the top and as I backslid I noticed the pile of fabric transfers I had made (oh, last year!) and never done anything with- I had lost motivation on them too, at the time. So I switched projects, as I often do and added fabric to make it large enough to cut an apron from. I am lining it and then doing the waist band and ties and then will probably add a few things in the pocket.
I will add this to Tie One On's Challenge.
What would Dorothy have in her pocket?
Oh you know! Anti- Flying Monkey Spray, a poppy seed or two, oil can, cat nip, extra straw, a dog biscuit, along with some hopes and dreams and a miracle or more.
Using a McCalls pattern M5284-  view #E- from the Hancock's closing sale. :(    I hate to see any fabric store close, but this will be great for the small quilt shop's here! So I guess it will be ok. I am going to go finish this and I will be back with photos later! Have a Happy Monday!

a bag by any other name would still be a purse

So I have been working on this today- A purse. I was going to use an Amy Butler pattern that I had bought last year and never used. I do that. I MUST have it and then never use it. I am trying to stop that. I am going through my patterns and reminding myself of what I have. Lot's of times I see a pattern or a book and it's like they are brand new! I totally forgot that I had them. I remembered to take the ginkgo biloba today. Can't hurt, Might help. (*teehee*) Sadie had her bath and blow dry today and is nudging my elbow to go out once more before bed...she is a tough taskmaster...I am ruled by my dog. geez. she is a sweetie though! More on the purse tomorrow...I think I am sleepy tired too!

The Magic Mailbox

'I've always relied on the kindness of strangers,' Blanche DuBois
well, maybe she was on to something!
I couldn't believe that  more Blogger Babe Goodies were waiting in my Mailbox again today! Wow! I am truly Blessed by kindness.
This time it was from Jennifer of infinitymoremonkeys.blogspot.com Behold the lovely Vintage treasures!!!! and I got 3 wishes!!!! Lucky me! Thank you Jennifer- very, very, very much!

Trouble knocked on the door, but hearing laughter, hurried away. Ben Franklin

That is my favorite quote by Ben Franklin. I love the thought of Mr Trouble personified- just as I love anthropomorphic vegetables and vintage dancing toasters and tea pots.

I guess it comes from my childhood and the illustrations in the fairy tales or stories or maybe my Grandmother Mae's kitchen towels.
She would embroider on everything. I wish I had some of her pillow cases and doilies, but my Mom has only given me a few quilts so far.
Yesterday I was overwhelmed with 2 boxes of beautiful vintage embroidered linens and table cloths and fabric and crocheted doilies and smock aprons and BARK CLOTH curtains!

The delightful Miz Smoochie Lips aka Tia was kind enough to give me all of these wonderful fabrics to use in my creations. From the bottom of my pounding heart I thank her.
She will get an amazing apron full of her salvaged treasures!
I am not sure I will be brave enough to cut some of them, but I will try.
I like re-purposing and as long as the fabric still holds together I will use anything in my collages or clothing items.

I have lots more pictures on Flickr if you would like to go view them.
I need to spend my time sewing not loading pictures here today- so there are only a few to whet your appetite...I also have taken some pictures of a few vintage embroidered linens I have had for many years...I always wonder why the creators didn't finish some things- like did they die?
Were they so critical of their work that they deemed it unworthy of completion?

I will never know, but I have a feeling that if they had completed them then those wips would have never found their way into my hands and I would never have admired and lovingly held onto them all these years.
I secretly love to iron- I love the smell of the steam and the repetition and the way it looks afterward.
I hate housework and do bitch about it ad nauseum but I love ironing.
I can remember hanging the clothes on the line with my Grandmother and then her taking them down and into the house where she would iron them on the closed in back porch.

The view from there included her flower garden with rows and rows of gladiolas and baby's breath and roses and hydrangeas and poppies and the asparagus bed and the red veined rhubarb.
Beyond that was a huge field of sweet grass that my Grandfather let the local college (Warren Wilson) cut and bale each year as a donation for their livestock. In the distance were the Seven Sisters mountain range that nestles the town of Black Mountain.

It was so beautiful and I had wonderful summers chasing firefly's at dusk, hoeing, mowing, toting rocks in the wheelbarrow down the hill to the creek.  My Grandmother worked hard everyday- washing, ironing, harvesting, canning, freezing and setting by rows of beautiful canned goods on the basement shelves.
I am so lazy compared to her and her Mother, but that's what all this advanced technology has done for us- given us more free time to do the things we really enjoy.

I have mixed emotions about some new fangled advancements though.
I was recently told about the new Clover gadget that makes YoYo's in seconds- I have even started seeing it in my Mary Engelbreit and quilting mags.
I still don't want one.
I like making the yoyo's the old way.

It's easy and simple and soothing in it's hand-held repetition.
Call me old fashioned.
I am.

Poppy

Poppy, originally uploaded by mousie_earz.

wouldn't this bee a lovely quilt?

New Dawn

New Dawn, originally uploaded by mousie_earz.

how beautiful

Doll Quilt CrAzY!!!!!!

quiltie wall, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I started a Group called Doll quilt CrAzY!!!...Please come see and join in the fun!!!

here are some buttons and bows for you to link with the Doll Quilt Crazy Group can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/386698@N23/pool/

Things to Make & Do

It's strange how when you are sick all creativity is drained and ceases to flow...maybe that is part of the virus's weaponry. The bullet that puts you down and makes you not care if you ever get up, just please, please go away and make it stop!
I am feeling almost normal- yeah, for me that is left of center at best, but I am feeling stronger and yesterday caught up with those futility chores. You know, vacuuming, mopping, laundry...but now I can concentrate on finishing one final part of my giveaway- That Bipolar Becky that I owe Angela, who has been so patient.
I sent out boxes in drips and drabs, as many of you know- thank you for your patience.
I always like to make my barrage on the Postal System the largest attack possible and get all my boxes together at once- unfortunately that isn't always so easy...boxes...I needed boxes...and the strength to pack them...and while I could have taken them one at a time- I am just OCD enough to have to do it all at once-or not at all! I am like that with a lot of things - 100% or nothing at all. Ach! Whatever. All that anticipation makes it so much better doesn't it? I did receive my lovely quilt from Vicki at Turkeyfeathers in a lightening fast shipment- It is so sweet and lovely. With perfectly executed stitches and use of fabrics. I adore it. I am hoping she will like the apron I swapped her for it. Maybe we will get to see pictures of her twirling around in it on her Blog?
The above image is from Vintage Workshops   and they not only have groovy e-cards but a whole store full of neato Cd's with vintage ephemera and fabric to print on.

If you haven't met Vicki yet then by all means go visit her Blog and read about her  ninja deer who stalk her garden and her world of sewing, embroidery, doll house miniature sweet treats (hand crafted by her daughter Grace) and her life. She has a wonderful Web Store called Pattern Bee  and if you love Vintage Embroidery Transfers then this is the place to get them! I bought a box lot of them from Ebay one time and I dare say that I can only hope to live long enough to embroider half of them!  Vicki seems to have energy to spare and must always walkabout with hoop in hand and camera in the other. Go visit her shop at Etsy too and feast your eyes on some lovely doll quilts...maybe you can get one of your own.

I opened mine, when it came and just sighed with joy and happiness at the beauty. I enjoy other peoples work visually all the time, but it's a different experience all together to hold it in your hands. Now I have two doll quilts made by artist's that I admire. The one from the Doll Quilt Swap by Susan of Joybucket who makes wonderful dolls also. The next photo is of the heart & quilt wall in the living room- or the room where the TV lives. Speaking of Doll Quilt Swap- Lisa is hostessing another and you will need to keep your eyes peeled to when the sign up date is- I will try to post it as soon as I know but here is the link to bookmark just in case... Doll Quilt Swap 2

I just saw (thanks Lisa!) where Whip Up's Challenge this month is also Doll Quilts!
I hope someone does a book, featuring them sometime soon- I look forward to that! A whole luscious book of miniature Doll Quilts...almost as good as the real thing...not quite but almost!
I am going to start on my Pockets themed apron soon and then maybe I can tackle a doll quiltie for whip Up.
I was not conjuring up any new ideas while I was sick- couldn't come up with a thing worth putting down on paper with the exception of the "hellinahandbasket apron" I loved it when Amanda named one of her dolls Hellina Handbasket and couldn't get it out of my mind and while tossing and turning in a fevered delirium I conceived of an art apron with flames licking the hem and basket shaped pockets using some of my woven print stash of fabrics. I can see it- can't you? Soon, peeps.
But for today just go take a peek at Sew Mama Sew and the zipper tut by Michelle from Green Kitchen whose delightful aqua and orange bird skirt made me want to DROP EVERYTHING and get started on a skirt! Now that I feel confident enough to handle a zipper after her expert instructions (even though the barrel prefers drawstrings)  I will be giving it a try and when I finish a skirt from my Sew What Skirts Book I will be posting them to this Flickr group.  Oh, wait, maybe this Group  Stay tuned...especially since Sew Mama Sew has declared May to be Sew A Skirt Month!!! I am impelled to make one and then post those pictures here

Here is the badge if you are also compelled....the skirt, the apron, the quilt, the joy. I gotta go SEW!!!!!

Watch This

Splendor in the Sunshine & Shadows

This is the back of a quilt that my Brother found at our local Thrift Shop.

It appears to be hand sewn and each block looks like it is quilted and then sewn to the next block.

It is inspirational to me because it is so unique and vibrant and the choices of fabrics are so varied and yet it all works together.

There are strips of velvet, polyester, cotton, satin, and corduroy. It may be that she used her own clothes, like my Grandmother used to. Each block has a vivid and striking sun and shadow...they juxtapose beautifully and the tactile appeal is wonderfully strong. I want to reach out and touch each log of fabric....

I had to take it ouside to photograph on the driveway because it is HUGE!!! Probably a king but when I put it on my Queen it dropped to 3" away from the floor. I am going to enlist Fred's help in measuring it. Did I say that it was huge? And heavy! Thick and comforting. He wants me to list it on eBAY. So after I measure it and do a bit of research I am. Regretfully. I would love to keep it myself, but he need the money for some upcoming travel expenses so like a good sister(wink, wink) I am doing it for him...plus i get to take lots of pictures and he knows that if I ever make a quilt this fabulous- I will rise up from the grave and come after anyone who carelessly gives it to the Thrift shop....It is approximately 104"x108"....wish I had a loft to hang it from or a staircase....Here's the link for Ebay

Gypsy Pockets

wow, you're thinking, right? I know this makes me go wow! Once, a long time ago, in my twenties, I took belly dancing classes. My friend Sharon and I laughed and laughed. My hips never did what they were supposed to- but it was fun and liberating and we laughed and laughed!
Now Amanda and I are going to get crafty together- Long Distance Crafty, but Blogging and sharing ideas together with Flickr and emails.
Designing our own aprons for the Pockets theme for Tie One On will be fun and we will laugh!
What would a gypsy carry in her pockets?
A set of cards, some cash, some potions?
Her crystal ball might not fit!
Will it jangle and jingle?
Would it be made from velvets, silks, tapestry?
Crazy quilted? 
Traditional Gypsy?
Kaffe Fasset or some of Anna Maria Horner's Bohemian?
Maybe Amy Butler Lotus Flowers?
This is going to be fun!
Amanda leans toward sultry, 20's-40's Jazz Lounge, vintage style with a bit of black and grippe seized skelly/fairy/ pixie twists and I am 50's and 60's Pop culture with a hint of farm girl and a blend of Hitchcock/O'Keefe/Audrey Hepburn and Martha Stewart for good measure.
I am mailing her some fabrics that might be suitable and we are going to start drafting designs this week. Maybe we can tuck in some recipes in our pockets.
Got any good ones for Gypsies?
Like: 

HUNGARIAN GOULASH OVER NOODLES
1 lb. beef, cut into cubes
2 tbsp. brown sugar
3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
6 tbsp. ketchup
3 tbsp. flour
2 med. onions, minced
1 1/4 tsp. paprika
1 1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. vinegar
1 1/2 c. water
1 (6 oz.) pkgs. noodles
Brown meat on all sides in fry pan; add onions.
Combine paprika, brown sugar and salt.
Combine Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, ketchup; add to meat; add 1 cup of the water; stir; cover.
Cook over low heat 2 1/2 hours or until meat is very tender.
Blend flour with remaining 1/2 cup water; add to meat mixture; stir until thickened. Boil noodles in salted water until tender; drain.
Serve meat mixture over noodles.
Maybe I can borrow The Werewolf with Lon Chaney from my brother to do some research on Gypsies.... a big bowl of Goul-ash (and a nice chianti)  with a name like that it's bound to be good!...stay tuned for more of this crazy fun! If we hurry we might even be able to come up with Zombie Aprons...what would Zombies have in their pockets?  oh the possiblities are endless...right in time for Fido....

Nice Desktop

Nice Desktop, originally uploaded by Playingwithbrushes.

Just wandering around Flickr....looking at cool stuff...I love the mosaics put together by some of the girls....

Vintage Pink Princess

Vintage Pink Princess, originally uploaded by presentpast.

wouldn't this be awesome with a pair of wings and glittered up shoes?

Oh, the Calamity

I made some tags for the giveaways and now I am taking pictures cause they turned out so neat! It is a lovely day here- so cool that we opened the windows. The yard sale went well, my Brother made a fortune on Fri but Sat was slow for both of us and I started to get grumpy so I started taking stuff down and packing it up earlier than I probably would have, but I was just worn out! Thats hard work! Pricing, hauling, setting up...my back was screaming by Sat night and so Sunday we just relaxed and watched some movies.

I went to Renaissance Video - which has everything ever made, it seems, and got an eclectic mix: House Boat, Mogambo, Blood Tea & Red String and my new favorite- Mirrormask. Ahh, I started reading a book of Neil Gaiman's over the weekend- and I already have a copy of Wolves in the Walls...but this movie was so cool- like a Collage.

Like what salvador dali might do if he had access to a computer or Jim Henson's Magic. Very inspiring. Very visual. Like a Fairy tale for modern times. Like Alice and Dorothy- this girl is lost in a strange land and must find her way. All the great stories are like that, aren't they? The strange enchanted creatures that they meet along the way teach them lessons through tricks and riddles...Fred thought it was strange but to his credit he stuck it out with me.

The crap I expose that poor man to- here Honey, you'll like it! It's ART. *teehee* anyway, I am packing up all the giveaway items plus something I sold at Etsy and then I shall be listing some things of my Brother's on Ebay and then hopefully trying to sew a bit! Amanda and I are going to take the Tie One on Challenge and make an apron in Tandem with the Pocket theme..

It will be blogged on both our blogs and oh how fun it will be! We have our coffee in the morning and IM with each other on Yahoo. It helps to inspire me but she is growing into quite the Tar-baby and some days I can barely break free to get busy! Hahaha! It is fun though and I enjoy the process of sharing and linking and yakyaketyyakking each morning with her.

I am glad she is healing up from the surgery and getting her mojo going. I think there are so many things each day that can hinder our best efforts to create without even thinking about illness or surgery. I am trying to stay on course and get some things made. I am enjoying reading though, which I haven't done in a long while. I gave up books so that I could sew more- reading only craft mags, books and Country Living etc mags.

I went to the bookstore on Sat and sat there with all of the latest Somerset Studio Mags in my lap and felt as if I might have died and gone to heaven. The new Cloth, Paper, Scissors with Ruth Rae's jewelry and collage by Anahata...It helps me to think I could get published if I were to send off a quiltie or an art apron to the mag..If I were to be brave and try...so I have several new Challenges for myself up on the Inspiration wall. It feels good.

I may not be on the computer as often but won't it be great when I can show of my stuff in another format?? venue? Like Boundin...that jack a lope & sheep  story from Pixar...just gotta keep bounding....

Getting Out Of The Superhero Business

So my Brother brought over some of his "stuff" to sell at the yard sale. mmmmm. Don't you know I am just going to have to keep the Barbie series as payment for helping him....I mean, afterall....my time is valuable too, right? Since he isn't taking time off from work to help, it's just little ol me, all by my lonesome...sweating and making nice with the early birds....Sometimes I could just strangle him...Brothers! WHAT IS HE THINKING??????? Like I would SELL these. C'mon!!!! But the rest of this crap has got to go!!!!!!

I'll be outside....

Pick 5

Do you think that our Blogs reflect who we are? I have taken to setting the clock so that I can get up and leave the desk. Last week was consumed by Spring Cleaning and purging and garage sale days. This week I seem to have tried to catch up on Blog World and have found some wonderful new Blogs, put names to Blogs and have added a few I fell in love with to my Blog Roll- Sidebar- List of Friends- whatever you call that place where your Adventures wait. My dear sweet, farm girl sister Jenny of Kansas (think Heirloom Cows and Roses) has tagged me in some new Blog Madness- Pick 5- are you kidding me? I am impaired when it comes to choices. I have to Bookmark all the lovely Blogs I find, because otherwise I forget ( can I get Ginko B. in shots?) and then when I have that immediate rush of warm fuzzy love I grab their URL and dash to my typelists and throw them in and slam the door, looking quickly, left to right to make sure no one is chasing me to get them back....I hoard the blogs...yep, I do...

I go back and read over them and admire pictures and fragments of their lives and insights. The Blog world is a crazy quilt pieced together by the links, forged by comments, left like bread crumb trails to be followed...to the next Blog....that web woven of like minded spirits who want to connect to someone else who appreciates what they do. Be it Art, Crafts, Quilting, Collecting, Traveling, Eating, Politics, Family Life...It is amazing to me when I have been on Flickr since last July or so and I am just finding some Flickr friend's Blogs. I always (usually) check their profile page for a blog address...don't I? Is there a separateness between Flickr and Blogville? Sometimes I think there is. Not everyone on Flickr blogs and not all Bloggers have Flickr...anyway, ANYWAY....the point, Kim, the POINT is that I got tagged a second time by purple cucumber so in my world that means I get to pick 10 favorites. right?

My brother, Glenn, brought over some of his books and games he wants me to put in this weeks sale..Of course, I wanted the Mad game and said that might be my fee for helping him...I am trying to purge not find more. I have enough! Too much probably. I have stuff everywhere I look. I am trying to simplify and have even put my pack rat in the sale. Please won't someone buy her? Take her away!!!! I need room to breathe! To paint my sewing room! To walk around not hitting knees and stubbing my hobbit toes...No more Clutter!!I am even cleaning up the Blog...  I will go through my sidebar and spiff it up a bit in the next week. Blogs that I don't read or if they are bad links then they are history! I will always add 5 for each one I remove, so it really is pointless to even try!

My favorite 10 would have to include these chicks but I must say everyone on my sidebar is a favorite or else they wouldn't be there. I think that's obvious on everyones Blogs...when you take the time to add someone it means you intend to go back and you want them handy. I have Blog log and Technorati and am still not too sure how to add but I am figuring it out. The Google Analytics is up and running with some very interesting and thorough stats. I thinks so many of my readers come from Vicki and Ulla that I should be sending them roses and chocolates!

Funny how they are two of my favorites too. So here is a list - without order of favorites- just don't make me choose which is my most fav- I won't ! Hell, I can't!
                                     1. Ulla at:    http://ullam.typepad.com/ullabenulla/ Because she takes me to see the most wondrous creations and places and shares a love for fairies, crowns, red riding hood, Alice, handmade couture and she creates awesome things herself. I can get lost for hours in her posts and archives...

                                     2. Vicki at: http://turkeyfeathers.typepad.com/ Because of the embroidery, quilting, cooking, tiny doll house sweet treats, photography, sweetness and kindness, perfect stitches, wonderful doll quilts...

                                      3. Amanda at:   http://www.amandabutton.com/ Because of the creative musings and skelly dolls, faerie bowers, flowers, gnomes, embroidery, aprons, skirts, that so funny arsenic and old lace skit she had last year for Halloween....too many reasons...cause she is a sistah..

4. Jude at: http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/  Because she is so earthy, grounded, spiritual, creative and honest. She takes me on the train with her while she sews, embroiders, quilts a wonderful gift to her brother "Walter". I love the people she has on her sidebar- all so creative- Artists to the 10th power. I love it that she is journalizing about her creative process with this quilt sewn with love and meaning for a person she sew clearly adores with each stitch. Thoughtful, patient, kind, heartfelt, natural, organic. It shows on her work, her words.

                                      5. Lotta at: http://mom-o-matic.blogspot.com/  Because she is honest and FUNNY and sad and has awesome links, pictures, stories. She writes really well and usually makes me either spew coffee on my monitor or pee my pants laughing- pick one, they are both a mess. I love her strength. She is a good Mom, wife and Person. Human. She makes me happy after a visit and more able to cope with my day. Please go visit her and give her a vote so that she can get paid to Blog for a Year too- she is worth it!

My alarm has gone off, sadly, this is all the time I have at present to ramble and dazzle...I will give you 5 more next time...must prepare for onslaught of new garage sale buyers tomorrow and Sat....It will be more fun when I am done and can show you pictures of painting my sewing room instead of my office- which is actually Sadie's bedroom! with bookcases and a desk and computer....TOWANDA!!!!!!

It's a Good Thing, Martha Stewart: Crafts

When I think about Martha Stewart I think about this: If Martha wanted a cup of hot chocolate, first, she would go to the river and did the clay, to make the cup on her potter's wheel ($325) Then after glazing and firing the cup, in her kiln made in the ground with leaves and twigs and paper to raku it  ( $500 per hour)  she would head to the kitchen and make her own marshmallows and use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut them out ($37) then she would fly to Mexico or South America and get a bag of the finest cocoa beans and fly back to grind them into powder ($ 2,789) only then could she combine the finest cream,  milked from cows fed only new tiny shoots of green grass and lavender ($67 per oz) with the cocoa to make her cup of hot chocolate (priceless).

Now, maybe I am wrong about that but it isn't ego it's the fact that she knows how to do all these things. She knows how to make her own marshmallows and how delicious they are compared to store bought. She has been behind the wheel of her  craft car all these years, picking up this and throwing in that and now she has pulled up to Michael's Arts & Crafts stores and unloaded her trunk of wares and FINALLY we can start getting busy making all those projects in all those magazines stashed in our closets, under beds and bins and boxes. Saved for years, I take mine out on holidays and browse..much the same as I do her website...I still am going to make the giant plywood cut-out silhouettes of the witch and her cauldron featured on the cover of her Halloween Issue several years ago.

Some of the photography in her mags over the years has knocked me out and I aspire to recreate those images in my own home. I iron my tablecloths and set the centerpieces and make the name tags and create napkin rings. It makes me happy to plan and execute the perfect party. Like Martha. How many nights has she laid awake planning do you suppose? She has great drive, determination and creativity. She recognizes talent when she sees it too and have you noticed how many bloggers have been on her show recently?

Some dreams do come true. The evidence is at your local Michael's. The glitter, the glassine and vellum. The stamps, stamp pads, wrapping paper, brads, tags, stickers. It's all there. The RIBBON. Tiny 1/4 inch ombre striped in blue and taupe and all the colors you've ever wanted. Go. Go quickly! Gwen called Barb and said some of hers was sold out already! My store was pristine and untouched by grimy shoppers hands. It may never be that nice or full again, but I took pictures for Lexi so that she can see that it's worth the drive from Clarksville to Nashville.

The flowers are paper. They look like silk flowers but they are paper. I hope she starts a gallery of pictures on her website for photos of stuff made with Martha's Craft supplies. Maybe someone will do it on Flickr. With a different project featured each month...like the pincushion or apron challenges....Oh yes, I can see it all now....People in Europe and everywhere else will be calling their friends and family here in the states begging and bribing for Martha's new stuff! I know it's what I want from now on. Every Holiday: Michael's Gift Card Please. Oh, Mother's Day?  you know! Christmas? Need you ask? They even have wonderful tins to put them in for only $1.00 up by the register. Go look, I'll wait. I'll be here dreaming of all the crafts I'll be creating with all these awesome new supplies....

Oh, the parties we'll plan! Did you notice on the header on the 4way it said: MARTHA like the art in her name is highlighted. Clevah. Very Clevah. Can I change my name to Calartamy Kim? teehee, giggle, giggle..haw,haw...cackle, cackle...hohoho! Oh yeah! I am exuberant about this! Shouting about it from the top of the roof! Martha is going to help us make stuff! WE can put flags on our cupcakes and bunting and banners of tissue for a festive look anytime! We will be able to make those vellum candle shades now...ahhhhhh. so happy...so craftastic! I love you Martha! Thanks so much.

tiny bunting....hats....let's party!

glitter me up, scottie!!!!!

Could this possibly be a dream? Am I really dead and this is heaven? The little girl behind the register thought I was odd but she let me take my pictures, after I asked " You don't mind"? She said she, personally, could care less, what I did! So with permission like that I clicked away! Go to My Flicker link to see more.....Martha

Congratulations!

The numbers have been chosen. The winners are getting emails. I am sorting out the prizes! You will have to go to the end of the string of cupcake pictures to find out who has won....because it's more fun that way....that's why!!! Today is gorgeous, btw, and I am dashing back over to the beloved Post Office after yesterday's nightmare of a line out the door prompted me to abandon the plan and return earlier today. Just seems senseless to waste 30 minutes in that line....so here is a peek...

And before you go all crazy counting to find out who you are, ya need to know that I put all of the comments in a file on my email site and added a few who were unable to comment on the blog but left emails- so you will have a different number than the comment order on the blog. It was the only way I could figure out how to keep them all together. 71 isn't too hard to manage. Maybe when a year has gone by I will have more. But small and cozy is good, right?

These beauties are blooming in the back and I just discovered them! They bloom for a few weeks then it's a whole another year to wait...I love the iridescent translucent shimmer in the petals. I love this shade of pink too!    ***I am doing another Garage sale this weekend with my Brother and then I will be back to sewing. I miss it and it hasn't quite been a week....I was so happy to participate in the doll quilt swap and would love to do another if anyone else knows of any going on then please let me know.***

My other great love- aprons has a new Blog site devoted to it- you need to go check it out! The creator's are: Deanna of Domestic Chicky and Eren of Vintage Chica and it is called The Apronista. Please go give them some Land of Blog Love and support and check out their creative aprons.***

Speaking of creative I just saw where Mary Jane Butters is publishing another fabulous book- Mary Jane's Stitching Room this one specializes in sewing, crocheting and embroidery- maybe some tatting too I am not sure. It will be out this month and you can check it out on her site here.

I can't wait to get it! I have her first book and just love it. Her last magazine was all about aprons and using men's shirts and then several patterns you could order. Which, I did but haven't gone to the copy shop to enlarge them 4oo% yet...maybe soon... There is a pattern for repurposing a man's shirt into an apron that I just saw on a blog last night...Ifound it again- it's here Aunt Georgia's House, but it was cool and I think there are so many possiblities with altering favorite dresses into aprons, or smocks. Check out Tie One ON. For May/June's Challenge theme- it's pocket I think! And the RickRack Aprons should be up soon! ...maybe there will be some time set aside for this in the weeks ahead! We shall see, eh?
Last night I finally rented Night at The Museum and it was sweet- and entertaining on the level with old Disney that we grew up watching (Apple Dumpling Gang) and worth renting. Robin Williams and Ben Stiller must have been on their meds cause they were great in their parts and I cracked up over a tiny Owen Wilson Cowboy- "Jedadia". He was awesome! It had a happy ending and then we were blown away by Heroes! Wow. All I can say is : didn't see that coming! Wow! I wish we could fast forward to next Monday! Adam, where is that remote?

Go down to the last post for prize winners.....

edwardian may

edwardian may, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Happy Spring!
Happy Everything!
Today is the Day!!!!!!
The First of May!!!!!!!!

cupcake love

valentines cupcake, originally uploaded by marcline.com.

Thank you to everyone who has been so kind.
Thank you to all of you who have left comments.
All sweet and nice and kind.
It is my pleasure to  come here and blog and share and chuckle as I journal my life and crafty shenanigans.
Thank you for adding me to your Blogs so that others will read me. It is my pleasure to share and show and entertain.
Like the Army Brat transferred to a new base, I jump up on the tables and dance and sing and tell a joke or two, this time without fear of being sent to the Principal's office.

happy birthday

happy birthday, originally uploaded by gracia+louise.

Celebrate your Creativity!
Revel in Color and Texture!
Experience the feeling of plaster of Paris or paint drying on your skin!
Go cut something up...fabric...paper.....Glue it!!!!!
Have Fun TODAY!!!!!!
Make a mess!
Create with Abandon!
Oh, the Calamity!
Oh, the Joy!
Gather your ribbons and dance!
Spring is Blooming right in front of you!

Day in the life - Cupcake!

Day in the life - Cupcake!, originally uploaded by mirvettium.

Good Morning!
Happy May Day!!

devil's food with fudge frosting cake slice nutcup!

devil's food with fudge frosting cake slice nutcup!, originally uploaded by holiday_jenny.

I bet you are all dying to find out.......

The Corpse Bride Wedding Cake

The Corpse Bride Wedding Cake, originally uploaded by PinkCakeBox.

I put all the comments plus several name from emails into a file on NetZero and that came to 71. So I typed up 71 numbers and then printed them and cut them up during Heroes last night. Fred drew the six numbers for me and then today I matched them to their names

A Cuteness of Cupcakes! :)

A Cuteness of Cupcakes! :), originally uploaded by Sooz©.

There are six winners for six prizes to celebrate six months!!!!!!!

Cup Cake 8 14 22 48 51 56

Cup Cake 23.5.06, originally uploaded by hippie2006.

Today is the day! I can't believe it...The time has flown by and it's here! If you happened to mention a preference to a certain prize then that is what you got , but some of you didn't so I am emailing in order to decide who gets what...this is tricky bidness, for I want everyone to be happy.  drum roll please.......................................................

Lucette   ( [email protected])

Angela ( www.countrycellar.blogspot.com )

Karen  ( http://misseskwitty.blogspot.com/ )

Carolina  ( neovamp )

Wende  ( http://evidently.org )

and Jenny  (  http://meadowroseswines.blogspot.com/  ) 

For everyone who didn't win but were kind enough to leave a comment, I thank you. Maybe next time...and know that I have been in your shoes because I have thrown my name in many hats and haven't won yet...keep trying is all I can say! For those of you who did win...you are lucky dawgs!!!!! Thanks for celebrating with me! Now go make cupcakes...I am really wanting some for breakfast!